Welcome to Poldark Tin Mine and Gardens
Poldark Mine is the only complete tin mine in Cornwall open for underground guided tours and is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. It has a special place in the story of tin mining and some consider it to be the veritable cradle of tinning as part of the site dates back to the Bronze Age.
Visitors have been coming from all over the world to explore the labyrinth of levels, caverns, adits, stopes, tunnels and shafts that make up this 18th century mine since it was first opened to the public in 1975.
Most recently, and for the original 1970s series, the mine has been used as the location for underground sequences in the BBC TV Series of Poldark! A number of artifacts from the museum at Poldark Mine were used as props and can be seen by visitors.
People come here from all over the world to have a peek at this remarkable and historic mine that has been described as “the jewel in the crown” of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site.
Most recently, and for the original 1970s series, the mine has been used as the location for underground sequences in the BBC TV Series of Poldark! A number of artifacts from the museum at Poldark Mine were used as props and can be seen by visitors.
People come here from all over the world to have a peek at this remarkable and historic mine that has been described as “the jewel in the crown” of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site.
The History of the Mine
Believed to have been used from approximately 2000 BC to 43 AD to grind tin ore to fine sand before smelting, the Trenear Mortar Outcrop is a Bronze-Age Scheduled Ancient Monument lying within the grounds of Poldark Mine.
Trenere Stamps, a mechanized tin-crushing site also within the grounds, is recorded as being in operation by 1493. This is understood to be the first such site recorded in Cornwall.
There is a mile long leat (aqueduct), ponds and a watercourse in the wooded riverside gardens and a waterwheel pit that all date from Tudor times and are recorded in the Duchy of Cornwall Rolls for 1493. The tinning grounds were in constant use for over 500 years processing tin from alluvial tin stream workings and, in later years, from local mines such as Wendron Consols Mine. It is known that, in the mid Nineteenth Century, 70 or more women and children toiled breaking and sorting ore where the gardens and ponds are today.
Trenere Stamps, a mechanized tin-crushing site also within the grounds, is recorded as being in operation by 1493. This is understood to be the first such site recorded in Cornwall.
There is a mile long leat (aqueduct), ponds and a watercourse in the wooded riverside gardens and a waterwheel pit that all date from Tudor times and are recorded in the Duchy of Cornwall Rolls for 1493. The tinning grounds were in constant use for over 500 years processing tin from alluvial tin stream workings and, in later years, from local mines such as Wendron Consols Mine. It is known that, in the mid Nineteenth Century, 70 or more women and children toiled breaking and sorting ore where the gardens and ponds are today.
Opening Times
April - October (please check for season opening and closing dates)
Open from 10.30 am, last admission at 2.45 pm.
Guided Tours start at 11.00 am.
Open from 10.30 am, last admission at 2.45 pm.
Guided Tours start at 11.00 am.
Contact Details and Location Map
If you would like further information about Poldark Mine please do not hesitate to call or email.
Address: Poldark Mine, Trenear, Wendron, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0ES
Telephone: 01326 573173 | Email: info@poldarkmine.org.uk
If you would like further information about Poldark Mine please do not hesitate to call or email.
Address: Poldark Mine, Trenear, Wendron, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0ES
Telephone: 01326 573173 | Email: info@poldarkmine.org.uk
The blue marker on the Google map indicates our approximate location. Use the '+' and '-' buttons near the top left of the map to zoom in and out. Use the arrow buttons or click and drag to pan around.